Back to Franti

Yeah, I'm back on Michael Franti & Spearhead again, still remembering how their show was totally worth the 3 hour trek to Coumbus. A Little Bit of Riddim just rocks.

Ten Days Later

... and I'm still listening to Empire nonstop. How many albums are out there where you don't skip over any of the songs? Not a lot for me, there's always at least one I don't want to hear. And what a strong finish to the album - Anybody Listening? Fantastic.

My friend Michele talked a friend of hers into driving us out to Hershey Stadium from Philly when we were in college. I remember her dragging me through the crowd, climbing over chairs, to get up to the second row for the opening band that she loved. They didn't make much of an impression on me other than a lot of long blond hair, but the rest of the concert, wow.

I had a Mia Hamm-style shirt removing moment during Jet City Woman, screaming like crazy because a black and white slideshow of shots of Seattle started flashing behind the band. It began with pictures of sidewalks, and I went nuts yelling that it was Seattle. Michele was asking "what the f***, it's a sidewalk". But it was Pioneer Square, you can't mistake it. Then on come the shots of the Space Needle and other parts of the city. Maybe I missed home more than I realized, who knows. Either way, one of the best performances ever.

They were great in their heyday, and I'm thrilled to finally have Queensryche digitally. Even after 10 days non-stop.

Forgotten Favorite

Queensryche, Empire, one of those great albums where there isn't a single song you skip over as you listen. They're just all that good. Nearly forgotten favorite because I had it on, yes that's right, tape cassette.